Lucille Juliano and sister Elaine Lampmann flank Rutgers University freshman Eric Lampmann, a saxophonist and music major in front of Nicholas Music Center on Douglas campus in New Brunswick, New Jersey

by Sam Juliano

Gifted Rutgers University music major and saxophonist, freshman Eric Lampmann performed in concert at the Nicholas Music Center of the Mason Gross Performing Arts Center at the Douglas College campus on Thursday evening. The young Lampmann, 18, played with the prestigious Rutgers Symphony Band, led by conductor Darryl J. Bott during the second half of a program in which the ensemble was paired with the Ridgewood Concert Band. Eric is the third of three children -all boys- born to James Lampmann and Elaine Lampmann of Butler. His older brothers James Jr. and Craig, ages 21 and 19, respectively, are presently working towards degrees in communication and civil engineering at Hofstra and the University of Maryland. (As a remarkable side note James was seen on national television last week as he helped to set up the sound and video for the Obama-Romney presidential debate at the David Mack Arena on the Hofstra campus in Hempstead, Long Island) The Rutgers’ Symphony Band’s membership is drawn primarily from the finest undergraduate instrumental music majors at the Mason Gross School of the Arts. Included in the program was a stirring performance of Ronald LoPresti’s “Elegy for a Young American” which was dedicated to the memory of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated the year before the work’s initial appearance. The solemn composition, largely fueled by the woodwinds, exudes a melancholic underpinning, and unfolds in the form of an adagio. The longest piece in the line-up was Symphony No. 3 “JFK” written by Andrew Boysten Jr., which is likened to an interdisciplinary study in how music formulates connections to historical events in a literal and programmatic fashion. The movement is meant to simulate the continuity of a memorial service, and contains four moving memories from JFK’s life: the war hero events on ‘P.T. 109.’ the famed inaugural speech that began with “Ask not what your country…”, the assassination on November 22, 1963, and the wrenching image of young John-John saluting his father’s progression as it moves by, an image that broke the hearts of a nation and the world. Eric Lampmann was one of the seven sax players, who gave this concert a distinct woodwind flavor and soaring lyricism. Lucille’s sister Elaine and her husand James live in a specious home in a rural cul-de-sac in Butler, New Jersey, which has been the location of Thanksgiving dinners for all of us for every one of the past 17 years. As the hosts of well-attended Christmas parties and owners of a dream home, the Lampmanns are about the classiest of acts. Watching Eric perform was quite the exhilarating experience.

By the time this post is seen by most a monumental storm will have already descended on the northern New Jersey/NYC area, dubbed ‘Hurricane Sandy’ and even ‘Frankenstorm’ by those who note it’s coinciding with Halloween. Meterologists are promising a destructive event, with certain power outages and flooding and 70 miles per hour winds. Monday night into Tuesday afternoon is forecasted to be hellish for all in the metropolitan area, and it is probable that power will be lost for a lenghthy time. Supermarkets have been beseiged by hoardes of people, many of whom are envisioning doomsday scenarios. Schools in many regions have already been closed for Monday and Tuesday and there are mass evacuations from coastal areas and a state of emergency already declared in New York and New Jersey. Here on Spruce Street, our fear is loss of power and the subsequent sun pump operation, meaning a serious flooding in basements, including our own. Meterologists are now saying this may well turn out to be the most severe and destructive hurricane to hit the east coast since the start of documentation. It’s a genuinely fearful time. Just minutes ago I was informed that schools in my hometown where I teach and Lucille serves as a district Principal, have been cancelled for today (Monday) and Tuesday already!

The storm is temporarily shifting attention for many, who previously have been caught up in all the presidential election hoopla. Looks like it may go down as the closest election in history, though a good number of Obama supporters are holding firm on their man’s almost certain command of the Electoral College, and some critical swing states where he doggedly holds on to the lead. We at Wonders in the Dark have endorced President Obama for a second term, and urged readers to support the Democrat.

While the weather has many of us in a tizzy, WitD moves forward with the comedy countdown, which is well beyond the half-way point, with essays number 40 to 36 slated for this coming week. The best part of the cinematic year is now officially upon us, but for many there is understandable indifference while the weather threats and the election are of far greater urgency.

The John Garfield petition sighning continues with fervor, as Dee Dee has just this week reported on the latest additions. The John Garfield page can be easily acesssed under the acting icon’s picture on the sidebar. Dee Dee is working with Lori Moore and Barbara LaMotta on this long-running mission.

Lucille, the boys and I (and Sammy alone for the Etait on Tuesday, and Melanie and Broadway Bob for CLOUD ATLAS) had a busy week. In addition to the fabulous concert in New Brunswick on Thursday, we saw:

CLOUD ATLAS is fatuous, incoherent, distancing and rife with pretensions. It is proof parcel that having a great idea doesn’t mean successful execution, and in the genre of ‘connecting through eternity’ it lags far behind Aronofsky’s THE FOUNTAIN and Spielberg’s A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, both of which some persuasive comparisons can be made with. Some arresting set pieces for sure, but much more of it simply doesn’t work, and the film is literally and figuratively all over the map. Can’t say I’ve ever been much a fan of the Wachowskis. Still, I respect that the film has fans, and some have forged inspiring defenses.

Pierre Etait’s LE GRAND AMOUR is a whimsical 1969 feature that sadly has been denied release rights for decades. In the footsteps of Keaton and Lloyd, the now 82 year-old French clown employed a surrealist premise, and a deft blend of physical comedy and slapstick (my favorites are the bed gliding down the road and in the house where everything is literally divided 50-50. This was the cornerstone of a marvelous Etait Festival conducted this past week at the Film Forum, that’s been long overdue. Harold Lloyd’s THE KID BROTHER is one of the icon’s greatest masterpieces, and pianist Steve Sterner again provided wonderful musical accompaniment for a Sunday afternoon showing before a small Film Forum audience, due to subway suspension later in the evening. Both Hammer’s celebrated THE HORROR OF DRACULA and 1977’s THE SENTINEL were offered on the 70 foot screen of the Jersey City Loews’ movie palace at Journal Square on Saturday night, with a spirited Halloween show in place on the second floor lobby.

For the second week in a row I was unable to update any links. The storm preparations have taken the time that I would have needed to manage the updates. This is a rarity for sure, and I will make doubly sure to make the proper revisions for next week’s diary, providing of course we make it past this week’s meteorological fireworks: (However, I will do my best to get over to a number of the blog sites to comment)

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55 Responses

First!
Hello! Sam Juliano…
I hope that all is well with you, your family, and friends… too!
[Being First] is a game that some fellow bloggers play on two Of my friends blogs… Because they have so many comments that it’s difficult to be the first commenter…ha!ha!]
deedee

Sam, I wish you the best. Albany is forecast to get off relatively easy this time, with winds rather than rain the big worry and floods like last year’s now thought unlikely. Still, after Irene these things make me jumpy and I can only imagine what you’re going through. Good luck.

I’ve been looking at horror and quasi-horror films lately, and by my lights those include Juraj Herz’s The Cremator, which boasts a classic creepy turn by Rudolf Hrusinsky in the title role; Kaneto Shindo’s Kuroneko, which is more of a dark, tragic fanasy, eloquently so even with all the wirework; Rex Ingram’s The Magician, featuring Karl (the Golem) Wegener as Somerset Maugham’s version of Aleister Crowley and overall a likely influence on Whale’s Frankenstein; Maurice Tourneur’s La Main du Diable, a stylish faustian whimsy; and Charles B. Pierce’s The Evictors, not in the others’ league but nicely shot with moments of rustic dread and home-invasion horror. All these frightfests may pale before the storm, but here’s hoping everyone’s Halloween manages to be happy.

Samuel—
Thank you my friend! You certainly deserve a break from the meteorological fireworks in view of your many past weather debacles. At the time I am leaving this response to you (5:05 P,M.) everything seems under control, but I’ve been warned that Sandy has not even touched land, a situation that should be resolved within the hour. Then the presently strong winds may be knocking out electricity. Already in Fairview, about one-third of the town is out, though not my home, nore the school I am presently in at this moment. I am a very big fan of the expressionist THE CREMATOR and surrealist KORONEKO and also have high regard for THE MAGICIAN, which I agree influenced FRANKENSTEIN. I haven’t watched that particular Tourneur as of yet, but can certainly agree with your astute framing of THE EVICTORS. Some of these may indeed pale to Mother Nature, but they would be great choices for some to focus away from the elements. Thanks as always my friend.

Sam Juliano, Congratulation! are [most definitely,] in order for Mrs. Lucille Juliano [nephew] and her sister Elaine Lampmann’s son Eric Lampmann… a very talented, intelligent young person…Thanks, for sharing all Of the info[rmation] about his musical talent [s] and background with your readers.

Now, I turn my attention to the films that you have watched:
I can see that all Of the films that you viewed with your family and friends where worth a look-see with the exception Of the film “Cloud Atlas…” and thanks, for providing the reason why the film have only garnered 2 stars from you after viewing the film.

Once again, thanks, for sharing the links and you most definitely, don’t have to repeatedly, mention The Garfield petition… I’m quite sure that your readers, will find the link located on your side-bar.

Sam, I hope that you, [Allan,] and your readers who live in N.J. or NY, have a great safe week-ahead…too!

[I have come back to strike a word: I meant to say to you, your family, friends and people residing in the New Jersey and New York areas try to stay safe.]
deedee 🙂

Dee Dee—
Thanks so very much my dear friend for the deepest words of concern. The storm of course has wrecked havoc for so many in the area, though we were lucky to have escaped the worst as far as water damage. As I write this response to you right now at 1:18 P.M., Lucille just stopped in this Ridegefield Library (only about 4 minutes drive from my home) and brought the remarkable news that power has been restored to our Fairview home, which all things considered is complately unexpected. Officials were telling us 5 to 6 days. It still may be possible that schools will open by tomorrow, I’m not yet sure.
Thanks too for the very kind words of acknowledgement for Eric Lampmann,, who of course has a very bright future in music.

Sam, hoping that the hurricane doesn’t cause as much devastation as forecast – I’ve just been watching the morning news here and it looks as if it hasn’t hit your area yet. Thinking of you and of all who are waiting for the impact of the storm and hoping you all stay safe and warm. I’m glad to hear that school has been cancelled so you don’t have to venture out. On a happier note, it sounds as if you had a wonderful time seeing your nephew and his fellow-musicians in a memorable concert.

It was my birthday yesterday and my family went to a Doctor Who-themed exhibition in a nearby town, Bury St Edmunds, which was great fun – we admired a convincing Dalek built by a father and son team in their garage, and met several Doctor lookalikes! We also had a good meal out. Among my gifts was a box set of season two of ‘Empire Boardwalk’, so I will look forward to catching up with that over the coming days.

Film-wise, this week I went to see a German film, ‘Barbara’, which is set in East Germany and centres on a doctor being persecuted by the Stasi – I found it a powerful and moving thriller, which evokes the era strongly, though slightly let down by an unlikely twist or two towards the end. At home I watched Carol Reed’s ‘The Fallen Idol’, which I loved – Ralph Richardson and the little boy, Bobby Henrey, are both amazing. Anyway, thanks for the mention, Sam, and stay safe in that storm.

Judy, hope you had a wonderful Birthday, and the Doctor Who themed exhibition sounds a great way to spend it! Allan of course is a huge fan, but so are two of my own kids. I have liked a number of the shows myself. Good luck with the BOARDWALK EMPIRE set too! I need to resume watching that at some point. Must see BARBARA and also regard THE FALLEN IDOL as a classic.

As I have stated to others, the storm did inflict damage to many areas, sad to say. Lucille has just informed me that electrical power has been restored to our home, which is unexpected great news! The losses suffered in lower Manhattan and the Jersey shore have been unconscionable. Thanks as always my great friend for your concern and kind words.

Thanks very much for the concern and kind words! As I have stated to others here, it was quite a devastating storm, though we in Fairview (minutes west of the Hudson River and NYC) managed to get by without flooded basements, though power will be out for days. Hope you didn’t get it too bad up in Boston. Shame that we virtually lost Halloween, though that is the last thing on many people’s minds, and rightfully so.

I had a feeling CLOUD ATLAS wasn’t gonna win any approval awards from you. I saw a 20 minute feature on the film on TBS the other night and I have to say that, from what I saw, it looked overbloated and bombastic.

The Wachowski Brothers (or shall I say “Siblings” as one of them is now a woman) have always been on the excessive side. With the exception of the lesbian caper flick BOUND and the original THE MATRIX, they haven’t lucked into anything substantial and, often, their work is just a big loud and boring mess (all the MATRIX sequels and SPEED RACER-need I say more?).

I was saddened to see that Tom Tykwer, who directed one of my favorite foreign films of the past several years (the extraordinary “alternate timeline” thriller, RUN LOLA RUN) was also listed as one of the directors on what many are calling one of the most overhyped duds in recent memory.

Just finished the very good HBO mini-series MILDRED PIERCE on Blu-Ray and thought the entire production was exceptional. Wonderful period detail, terrific score and commendable supporting turns from Melissa Leo, Guy Pierce, Mare Wiiningham and Evan Rachel Wood helped to back up a flawless screenplay adaped, page by page, from James Cains classic noir novel and a heartfelt and meticulously rendered performance by Kate Winslet in the title role. Considering our current economic recession, the themes and messages made in this 5 part teleplay reverberated perfectly to a modern audience IMO. I noticed some of the critics griped about the length of the film, but for those that have not seen it yet I fully recommend it. Frankly, I loved the entire thing and polished off all five “parts” in one evening.

Don’t know what all the cross reception is about over the third season of BOARDWALK EMPIRE. While I thought the first season was shakey, I found the second season to be uniformly excellent and the six episodes I have now seen of the third season to be just as compelling. The 4th episode of the third season, where Enoch and Owen Sleader are held up in the basement of an illegal booze store house, was, easily, one of the most revealing and satisfying episodes of the series so far and I love the depth that Buscemi is bringing to the character of Enoch as the show progresses.

The real fire was on THE WALKING DEAD last night as we are, finally introduced to the character of “The Governor”. It was this episode, as in the comic books, that see the transition of the old world dying in favor of the new, kill or be killed, world that is now showing itself as our permanent home. So many of the people that criticise the show for not having enough action (aka more killing, violence and gore) are really missing the point of the show. At it’s core, THE WALKING DEAD is a look at people and how they deal with a state of constant terrorism, and how it effects them, that makes the series so remarkable. Frankly, if those that watch are looking for cheap thrills and a blood fest only, I suggest they turn to FOX and watch the vastly inferior AMERICAN HORROR STORY instead (which I am just about to give up on as it’s camp factor has gone so totally over-the-top that I could scream from it’s imbecility)…

I really need to get a life….

Other than that. I have plenty of Ritz Crackers and Peanut Butter, Lemonade, Bottled Water, Cigarettes and Paperback Novels to keep me occupied in the event my building is surrounded by water and keeps me in for the next few days.

*That and knowing that BETTE DAVIS took the prize for BEST LEAD ACTRESS in our alternate Oscar polls here on WITD (as she deserved to and as it should be) for her performance in WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE shoud keep me smiling till this “Frankenstorm” subsides…*

Dennis – In total agreement with your assessment of BOARDWALK EMPIRE – I think the show has really hit its stride this season. I really loved last night’s episode. Stay safe over the next couple of days!

Yup, totally. The first season seemed to be moving around like a person in the dark fumbling to feel his/her way out of the room. However, the second season perfectly balanced the three main arcs (Jimmy’s story, Enoch’s and Van Alden’s) and it lead to some wonderfully dramatic moments and revelations. I like the fact that no one character is untouchable by death should it rear it’s head and I found the side characters, like Richard Harron (the guy with half a face) Owen Sleader and Arnold Rothstein adding a richness to the tapestry of the show. Maurizio was moaning about the first several episodes of the 3rd season. Frankly, I don’t see anything wrong with the way BE has progressed and think that episode 4 of the current season could probably stand as the best of the series so far…

Dennis—
“Overbloated and bombastic” is most assuredly applicable as far as CLOUD ATLAS is concerned but there are fans for it of course. At some point I’ll give it another go, but for now I found it auspicious but self-indulgent and incoherent, not to mention overlong and a narrative mess that never made the connections. True too what you say about Twyker.
Thanks for being a tropper for me over the last day with site announcements in my behalf. I have tried to gain internet access over the last 24 hours by driving out of town to many locations, and finally have been rewarded by power being restored in our home and the unexpected availability of the library, a place where some friends have used the PCs.

Hope you are ready to return to work on Friday night. many thanks as always!

Thoughts and prayers with you and your family and all those set for bracing the storm out there. Will be thinking of you and I know you all will pull through no matter what. Stay positive and be safe!

We will not get nearly the storm you’re getting but will apparently get a good deal of rain. We will see how much trick or treating gets done. I know the girls were looking forward to it….they will be “Little House on the Prairie” this year with Holly being “Mary” and Laura being “Laura” of course. I will likely be holding the umbrella.

My wife and I watched Take This Waltz last night. We enjoyed it and although not a masterpiece, was a solid examination of relationships. We both had some different interpretations of what the ending meant for the Michelle Williams character and also had a robust conversation on the film’s style. I didn’t think everything came together under Polley’s direction, but with Williams as the lead character, it was hard to dislike the film. She is always so good in whatever role she is in. Like I’ve said I would watch her read the newspaper and I would be happy.

I also watched Mulholland Dr. the other day for the first time in a decade. My how time flies. Amazingly the film was incredibly coherent on this viewing, with none of the confusion that I had upon my initial viewing. I still remember that time in Champaign watching the film in a nearly empty theatre and feeling nearly totally ravished and worn out by the end. One of the great experiences in a theatre I’ve ever had.

Well best wishes again Sam! Take care of yourself and the family! Hope to hear from you soon!

Jon, thanks so much for your moving concern for us all along. We lost power in our home, but have been spending time at Lucille’s school where there is power but no internet. I am presently at a local library, where miraculously internet and power are intact. As you know lower Manhattan got pulverized by the storm, and subways won’t be operating for days. NYC school and the schools in my own town and area will be shuttered through Friday. Shame that Halloween in our area is a no-show. Polley’s film was fine enough for me too, though as I mentioned on the Tribeca round-up weeks back it was problematic is some ways. Completely agreed on MULHOLLAND DRIVE my friend.

Sam –
You and your family have been very much in my thoughts with this gathering storm approaching – stay safe!
Congratulations to Eric on his performance and his musical achievement. Certainly a proud and happy experience for Lucillle, her sister and his entire family.

I’m disappointed to see tha mostly mediocre reviews for CLOUD ATLAS; I was never much into THE MATRIX films, but loved the Wachowskis’ V FOR VENDETTA. This one sounded particularly intriguing, so I will probably see it at some point.

Finally made it to ARGO this week and loved it! Very well and intelligently made – and the suspense of the whole airport/escape sequence was just about unbearable. (I was holding Marlon’s during the movie, and his hand was shaking through the whole sequence, while I had my free hand clutching the back of my seat and was muttering things like “Answer that damn phone!”). I LOVE it when a movie does that to me – it’s like the cinephile equivalent of a really thrilling roller coaster ride. I’ve read some criticism of Affeck’s “flat” performance, but I think the lack of angsty histrionics in that role serves the film well; his character, after all,is the kind of guy who’s good at what he does precisely because he doesn’t call attention to himself or reveal his emotions.
Finally I watched ROSEMARY’S BABY, which I hadn’t seen since I was about 13 (and then only on network television; i.e. heavily edited.) I don’t have anything profound to say about it except that it was genuinely scary.
For you and all the WITD readers on the East Coast, I send “stay safe and dry” vibes, good wishes and prayers for this week.

Pat—
Thanks so very much for your concern! As I responded to others here, it has been a trough time for so many. Trees are uprooted all over the place, but miraculously we have power back as of an hours or so ago. It could have been a lot worse for all of us, but we seemed to have been lucky. What happened in lower Manhattan and at the New Jersey shore is horrendous.
Agreed completely on ARGO! Yes a thrilled that validates holding hands on! Ha! Affleck’s performance was not flat at all, I quite agree. Hope you like CLOUD ATLAS more than I did, but as I say I’ll give it another go at some point. ROSEMARY’S BABY is indeed a horror classic and great to hear you liked it! Thanks again for your compassionate words my friend!

Sam, looks like Lucille and her sister Elaine are as proud as punch over Eric’s achievement. That’s quite a family you talk about, with three kids going to prestigious schools, and all headed for certain success. To play with the Rutgers Symphony band as a freshman speaks for itself.

We are bracing for the big one, and by nightfall we are expecting to get the worst of it. Stay safe and away from windows. Best wishes to all in the NYC area.

Frank—
Thanks for the kind words about Eric Lampmann and his proud family. Yes, as successful a brood as you’ll ever come across.
As I leave this comment at 4:55 P.M. (obviously power is still going) the storm has not yet reached the dire stage that some forecasters are predicting. So far some strong winds and moderate rain, but nothing so serious. We will see.

CLOUD ATLAS was charming, ambitious, funny, labyrinthine, well-acted (particularly by Jim Broadbent and Doona Bae), exciting, gorgeous, far-reaching, playful, sobering and moving. It’s one of my favorites of the year, and does what THE FOUNTAIN (still a movie I love) wanted to do, but better because it wasn’t hamstrung by budget concerns or, in fact, a limited vision. It deserves film lovers’ support–or, at least, a trial view.

Thanks for the concern Dean. All is well here, though uprooted trees and power outages have created quite a mess that won’t soon be remedied, sad to say. Most of the schools haven’t power, though my wife’s school (where we have been staying) does have power but no internet.

Thanks too for the other side of the coin on CLOUD ATLAS, a film I plan on seeing a second time at some point. You make a compelling argument here.

So far everything is fine outside with some light rain and wind. But I know this will probably be changing soon. I’ve heard some reports that the rain won’t be as intense in the NYC area, meaning of course that northern NJ might be spared. Stay tuned.

Another terrific week with movies, Sam. And Eric Lampmann looks like a young man to watch. First year in University and already a music star. Best wishes to him and his family. Great photo. I have heard good and bad about ‘Cloud Atlas.’ I guess Sue and I will have to check it out.

I think Obama will hang on and prevail in the Electoral College. The right wingers keep trying to spin Ohio.

Peter—
I am leaving this comment several hours after your observations were posted here, and things continue to be short of the extreme stage that some are saying will begin within and hour or so. At that point it would seem to be a miracle if we are able to maintain power. I am presently at one of the schools, but will be headed back to the house soon. Stay tuned indeed my friend.
Yes, Eric is a very talented young man. In behalf of his family I thank you! I am with you on the likelihood of Obama nailing down the Electoral College, but this will be as close an election as we’ve ever had.

Hello Sam and everyone!
I’ve heard of the hurricane and I hope that everyone is doing alright up there. And wow, I like how you saw Horror of Dracula in a Halloween special showing, I rate it the same as you, as I love it so much.
Me? Well, I’ve been working on my script and my horror month hand to hand, and it’s been tiring but at the same time rewarding, let’s hope it keeps going that way.
My week movie wise:
– Before I was Sad (2002, Jean-Gabriel Périot) ***1/2 This is a collage-animation from the french director I told you about last week, simple and short, but inmenseley entertaining, a view on the life of gay people in France.
– Days of Heaven (1978, Terrence Malick) **** I saw this film on TV and since I was curious about it, I watched it, it was mostly ok for the most part, incredibly beautiful and intriguing at every turn, it has some stunning set pieces and an overall mood that is never changed, nevertheless the film lost me at the middle, as continous scenes that weren’t necesarily spectacular were sent one after the other. I consider Badlands a favorite film, but this one didn’t really make it for me as much as that other one.
– Dead of Night (1945, Various Directors) **** Reviewed at my blog.
– Dies Irae (2005, Jean-Gabriel Périot) ***1/2 A experimental approach towards the issue of roads and travel through still imagery that always seems to be moving, as if it were magic, using the eye completely. Worth watching.
– From Beyond (1986, Stuart Gordon) **** Reviewed at my blog.
– The Gate (1987, Tibor Takács) ***1/2 Reviewed at my blog.
– I Married a Witch (1942, René Clair) ***1/2 Reviewed at my blog.
– Journal intime (2001, Jean-Gabriel Périot) *** First short from this french director, amateur at best, but interesting in what it’s trying to say about our image and how we build it for others.
– Mockingbird Lane (2012, Bryan Singer) ***1/2 A TV Pilot that was presented as a one off showing on TV in hopes for it to be picked up, but it didn’t, unless there’s a change of events. It’s a reboot/remake of The Munsters, the classic b/w series, and its given a new spin that is completely different and at the same time interesting to see how it would’ve evolved if picked up. It relied too much on special effects, but it’s rare to see a show with that many effects at all. Worth watching for comparisons.
– Pumpkinhead (1988, Stan Winston) *** Reviewed at my blog.
– The Seventh Victim (1943, Mark Robdon) **** Reviewed at my blog.
Have a great week Sam!

Jaimie—
Thanks for the words of concern on the storm. As you can see with the responses to many on this thread, we did not remotely get the worst of it here in Fairview, though we did lose power for a while and many of teh areas streets continue to be disaster areas. Yes, we did get to see HORROR OF DRACULA on the 70 foot screen before Sandy struck, and it’s always a seasonal favorite and one of the best Hammers. Of the impressive lineup you saw I am a huge fan of DEAD OF NIGHT, THE SEVENTH VICTIM and DAYS OF HEAVEN, and do like I MARRIED A WITCH well enough too. I have taken notes on some of the others you have very well framed. Thanks as always my friend.

I have been thinking about you and the storms this whole morning. I am wondering how it is going, though I have not been online until now to check in. We are having a wind storm and lot of rain – at the moment sunbreaks surrounded by black clouds. Nothing like you are experiencing but very different weather for us – as the temperature is nearly 60’F
We have a couple of fellows running in our state elections who wish to cut down 100 million acres of our beautiful forest lands – I hope people will not vote them into office, but all the ads make them sound so wonderful – blah! Glad I do not have TV.
Argo came to town – could not get anyone to see it. I did watch a great movie called THE DEBT with Helen Mirren – It made me think ….
With the books to review coming in now as PDF files and Kindle gifts…and galleys….the stack grows nearly every day….Tomorrow is my big write day and I think some of these books are going to be very exciting as seasonal gifts. I am reviewing an amazing book about what really goes on in the mega fundamentalist churches and it is hard to put down. Wish folks could read it before the election – I think it would make a difference. Having lived near some of the “team” players in the Billy Graham ministries I am thinking this book might just be fiction about a great number of true events. I do know a great deal of their $ goes to political candidates.

I hope you do not have flooding and are safe your two days off as the storm moves though….I wish the candidates had talked a bit more about climate change. We need 100 million acres of forest to drink hundreds of gallons a water a day and to clean our air….
Be safe

Patricia—
I can’t thank you enough for your deepest concerns/thoughts/kind words. I see you got a piece of it yourself in a parallel sense. Geez. Be rest assured that I don’t want that tree-cutting gang to get in office either. I’d wager they are Republicans! Ha! I did see THE DEBT, and glad that you connected with it. Mirren is always a stellar performer. The climate change talk must have been quite persuasive, and look forward to the book reviews you are planning. As I stated to some others on this thread we were spared water damage, and our basement was/is bone dry. Our area was adversely affected by the gale force winds, and less rain than predicted, but you see what happened in lower Manhattan and at the Jersey shore. The repercussions of this monstrous storm will be felt a long time into the future, methinks. Thanks again for your concern my friend!

Sam, I hope you, your family and everyone in the path of Sandy is safe and hunkered down. It’s one hell of a storm. I managed to see four films this week, two on the big screen. Both Frankenstein (****1/2) and Bride of Frankenstein (*****) are two great horror classics and it was a treat seeing clean prints in a theater setting. I also got to watch Dracula Has Risen From the Grave (****), an excellent Hammer film with distinctive sets and an excellent music score. Finally, I saw “Spine Tingler: The William Castle Story”(****) an excellent documentary on schlock king William Castle which was on TCM over the weekend. Plenty of clip and interviews with the likes of John Landis, Joe Dante, Roger Corman and Castle’s daughter Terry.

Actuallly, the film I watched last week was Dracula Prince of Darkness. Just watched Dracula Has Risen From The Grave and would give it ***. Not quite on the same level though still has some nice atmosphere.

John—-
Thanks so much for the words of concern, support and friendship. Yes this was indeed a whopper storm (they are saying the worst ever to hit this area) and so many will be impacted for a long time into the future. I see President Obama just met Governor Christie near the NJ shore (those two have really been bonding over the last two days in the most unlikely of political comeraderie) and the extensive damages will be assessed and addressed. One wonders how Tuesday’s general election will be affected. But that hardly seems to be the concern of most. You saw some horror classics there, and at the right time of the year. The two Universals are all-time classics of course, and I pretty much agree on that Hammer as being good, but less than great. And I do like that Castle documentary too. Thanks again my friend!

Well Sam, I hope you are all safe. Been thinking about you every time check in on Sandy’s status. It looks pretty brutal from here. You already know how I don’t like high winds never mind the kind of storm you are facing. We had another aftershock earthquake on this side of North America earlier this evening – six point something and in the same area as the last one. But again, we didn’t feel a thing here – and it is just the way we want to keep it. I have a movie to add but will leave it for another week. Warm cyber-hubs to you and your family Sam. I will be checking in to frequently to see how you make out. Until we hear from you! Terrill

Terrill—-
I am sorry to hear you got your own kind of serious scare with that aftershock, though I am happy to hear you didn’t feel a thing. I know you have been following everything, and I thank you for your deepest concern and words of support and friendship. Yes it was a brutal, killer storm, the worst on record for this area of the country, and one who’s effects will be felt well into the future. The winds uprooted many trees in my town and in surrounding towns, and the storm’s proximity to Halloween had many dubbing it ‘Frankenstorm.’ The devastation wrought in lower Manhattan, Staten Island and Atlantic City is a lifetime event, sadly for so many. Thanks again, and I’ll keep you abreast my great friend!

Pierre—
Thanks so much as always for your deep words of concern. Things ar emoving along nicely, as power has been restored within the last hour or so, and it is possible schools will be reopened sooner than expected. This was quite the experience of a lifetime and so many had their lives altered. Yes CLOUD ATLAS has divided the movie goers and critics. I know and respect that Craig went for it, and at some point I’ll give it another go. Thanks again my friend!

Are you still standing, Sam? Hope the rare and priceless Juliano film archives are unscathed. The weather in Ohio is rotten, too, but nothing like you’ve experienced, so I watched ‘Une Femme Mariee’ over and over. Don’t ask.
Some Fragmentary Thoughts on a Movie Made In 1964.
‘A Married Woman’ runs the gamut of Godard’s cinematic doodling, much of it very witty: the scene of an advertising photo shoot with young women in monokinis and bikinis cavorting at a swimming pool switches back and forth between positive and negative film imagery. I’m not sure what the point of this trickery is, a comment on the process of still photography maybe, a fast forward into the darkroom, but the effect is startling and, more than startling, it’s funny. The beauty of the bathers is parodied — the dark teeth, phosphorescent nostrils and eyes, bleached heads turn the girls into supernatural aliens and water nymphs. They’re the Models of the Damned.
This scene is preceded by another with a maid named Madame Celine, (these literary allusions are a recurring Godard affectation that can occasionally turn pretentious) delivering a salacious monologue to Macha Meril, the actress who plays the heroine, about a night of athletic sex with her husband (“I bucked ’til my boobies were blue”.). Again, funny, but a digression from the main story, like the pool scene.
That story centers on a romantic triangle between the eponymous married woman, her husband and a lover by whom she may be pregnant. The paternity remains unknown and irrelevant since the heroine decides to break with her lover at the end. What is important to the woman (Meril; Godard and Karina had split) and to Godard is the epistemology of “l’amour”, the way we humans express love both physically and verbally and the inadequacy of words to that expression. The repetition of “je t’aime” by Meril to her lovers becomes mechanical, meaningless, unconvincing to both her and her partners. And she is a very earnest and serious (and lovely) young woman. You sense the bawdy marital anecdote told by the maid, makes Meril recoil, although Godard never shows her reaction to the monologue — she isn’t even in the frame. But the absence of her laughter, the offscreen sharing of the maid’s mirth, say much about the heroine’s anxiety, displayed in other scenes by the way she presses her fists against her cheeks and her frequent nervous preening, especially of her coiff and also, once on her way to a tryst, her pubic hair, which we never see, either.
And we come to the issue of nudity or the lack of it here. ‘A Married Woman’ is saturated with sex, but the tone is quite clinical and cool, and for all the bedding down there is very little passion or heat or nudity. Just disembodied arms, legs, faces, backs of heads, a navel. At first I thought Godard was being coy about nakedness to avoid the censor’s scissors, but then I realized that these abstract, almost puritanical bedroom scenes were perfectly congruent with the film’s subtitle: “Fragments of a Movie Made in 1964”. These artfully posed body parts shot against stark backgrounds (Raoul Coutard was the wizard/photographer) are the loveliest elements in the film.
My guess is that the Meril character will continue her questioning and her amorous questing after the film’s end. She’s been unfaithful to her (older) husband before, because of her age (Meril was only 22 or 23 when she made ‘A Married Woman’), perhaps, and because love is a hunger/need encoded on the human gene and stimulated by contemporary mass consumerism, sexy advertising that includes billboards for bras, magazines full of underwear models of both sexes, erotic records to make love by and serums to increase the size of a woman’s breasts. If ‘A Married Woman’ is at times an erotic comedy (at one point Meril falls flat in a Paris street, an accident probably, but Godard chose to keep it in the picture, and its unexpectedness made me laugh against my better judgement), the film is also the chronicle of a desperate search for intimacy in the modern cosmos, and that is hardly a laughing matter.

Mark—
Thanks so much for the master class review on that Godard film, which deserves to be a separate review, and not a long comment. It’s magisterial, and I feel ill-quipped to engage with it directly right now, except to say that is IS a Godard I regard highly. Your repudiation of how some may interpret it is indeed food for thought. It’s a witty work for sure, and the erotic elements are compelling. I completely understand your disclaimers too.

Thanks for the kind words of concern about the storm. It was ferocious, but we are making a quick recovery. The DVD/blu ray archives are indeed intact, but we did make severe preparations before-hand to keep it that way. We wound up getting the wind full force but little water, and against all odds not a drop of water in the basement!
Sorry to hear you endured the bad weather in Ohio too. Your home state is quite the hot bed of political activity these days for obvious reasons. Ha!

SAM has lost power and internet capabilities in his home and work place and he wanted me to chime in and inform all you good people, that frequent WITD, that he is fine, everyone is safe and that the haul to get everything up and running in his area is underway. Unfortunately, the damage and the scope of the devastation in our area is of a titanic proportion and may take a day or two be rectified and put back on it’s regular course.

I have informed Sam of some possible outlets in the area that still may be offering internet service (internet “cafes”) and he’s on the job of trying to locate one of these outlets so he can get back to you all in a timely manner.

On a personal level, Sam is fine. His house and family have weathered the worst of the storm with little or no muss to the head. Basically, it all comes down to waiting for the emergency teams to start checking off each area as they go and restore power. The reaction of the emergency power and water units in the areas effected have been astonishing and they are doing the very best under the difficult circumstances.

I am writing this for Sam as my home is one of the few in the area situated in a “cove” (meaning large hills on both sides of my building) and, time and again, sees to be impervious to the hard winds and water fall of massive storms like this. Both Sam and I want to thank you all in advance for your concern and well wishes in this time of crisis. You guys and girls are the best!!!!!!

Relieving news for Sam and for you as well, Dennis, given how much went down there. Sandy wasn’t so bad up where I was, but what you got looks worse than the worst of Irene that hit us. Here’s to a speedy recovery for everybody.

Thank-you, so very much for sharing the up-dated information about the current conditions and reports from N.Y.C. and New Jersey, the hometown [State] Of yours, Sam Juliano, and others affected by Hurricane Sandy.

I too hope that [“The Juliano Family] and people living in that area power will soon be re-stored. [Most importantly, I’m happy that you all are safe and doing well… too!]
deedee

Most of us further inland didn’t get as whalloped as those closer to the waters edge. Lower Manhattan is slowly going from looking like a swimming pool to more normal conditions after the water started to receed. However, the major damage is done and it’s gonna be sometime for the greatest city in the world to bounce back with it usual vigor.

I will pass along all the well wishes to Sam and his family when I meet them for dinner on Thursday. Lucille and the kids are making the most of the situation by playing games, helping with the clean-up and getting homework assignments done way ahead of schedule…

According to PSE+G, the county power supplier, we should see electricity up and running in the effected areas in a few days, if not sooner…

Sam is fina as well. However, he is slowly ripping what remaining hait he has on his head out with no computer service at his disposaI. I, of course, being one of the lucky few to have power, am sticking that knowledge to Sam every chance I get and driving the man straight up the wall…

Thanks Dennis. As I stated to so many we were thrilled to see power restored this afternoon. This means that we may have saved much of our food, and of course the PC is back, though I am still in the library, after spending a good part of yesterday frantically searching for anywhere in the area we live in to find PC access. I would have given up an arm of a leg to get that access anywhere! Ha!

Sam, the devastation that Hurricane Sandy is causing has left people from all over the globe deeply concerned. The trail of destruction that had been left by Hurricanes Katrina & Irene are still fresh in most poeples’ minds. One can only hope that Sandy calms down – sooner the better.

I managed to watch the following movies since your last Monday Morning Diary:

– Eternity & a Day – possibly Theo’s most famous film internationally
– The Hunters – Theo’s mesmerizing follow-up to & nearly at par with his The Traveling Players (which currently ranks as the finest film by Theo that I’ve watched so far) – and the final chapter in his ‘Trilogy of History’
– The Shining – revisited this Kubrick classic. Interestingly, like a number of other films (Annie Hall, Gold Rush, No Country for Old Men, etc.) – my reaction to Shining had been ambivalent at best upon my first viewing, but has drastically changed (in the positive sense) upon revisiting it
– A rather insipid recent Hindi release called Chakravyuh
– Days of ’36 – a slow-burning crime drama & the first chapter in Theo’s ‘Trilogy of History’

Aye Shubhajit! Memories of past disasters are only too real, and though I can attest to the safety of my family, friends and relatives, the documentation of calamities is tangible. It will take days, weeks, and even months to fully recover for so many, and even Halloween seems a distraction in view of the monumental nature of what has happened. Thanks very much for your very kind words and concern. THE HUNTERS and ETERNITY are certainly formidable works, but TRAVELLING PLAYERS is the director’s greatest for me. Yep I agree that THE SHINING gets better and better on re-viewings. Haven’t seen CHAKRAVYUH nor DAYS OF ’36, but appreciate the capsules my friend. Thanks again for your deep concern!

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Wonders in the Dark is a blog dedicated to the arts, especially film, theatre and music. An open forum is highly encouraged, as the site proctors are usually ready and able to engage with ongoing conversation.